Michigan Volunteers Headed For California To Help With Wildfire Relief

As deadly wildfires continue to devastate large areas in the state of California, help is coming from all over the country, including Michigan. FOX 17 reports that several Red Cross volunteers from the West Michigan area are headed to California to participate in relief efforts.

According to West Michigan Red Cross Executive Director Tiffany Page, there are already four people who have been deployed to California and Page herself might head there soon.

“Executive Directors throughout the nation get deployed to natural disasters, to work with government officials and elected officials, to really be the hands and feet on the ground, and make sure that people are getting the support they need in terms of canvassing neighborhoods,” - Tiffany Page to FOX 17

As of Tuesday morning, 44 people were reported dead as the Camp Fire has become the deadliest wildfire in the history of California. There are still at least 100 people missing as the death toll is expected to rise significantly. Fire fighters are battling blazes on both ends of the state. Meteorologists are forecasting near hurricane force winds from Santa Ana in the south. Those winds will continue to threaten lives and homes in Southern California's Woolsey Fire, which has killed two people so far.

Meanwhile, firefighters were able to make some progress Monday in containing the Camp Fire, which completely destroyed the town of Paradise. That is also where most of the dead were found. Intense stories of escapes and close calls continue to be reported out of the region. President Trump on Monday approved a request for a Major Disaster Declaration that will provide the state with federal resources.

Here are the latest sobering statistics as of Monday evening according to FOX News:

• Camp Fire: More than 52,000 have been evacuated and 1,385 are in shelters due to the Camp Fire. It has scorched more than 117,000 acres of Northern California, and destroyed more than 7,000 structures, including 6,453 single-family residences. It was about 30% contained.

• Woolsey Fire: In Southern California, 57,000 structures are threatened by the Woolsey Fire. It has burned more than 93,000 acres, killed two people and destroyed at least 435 structures. It was about 30% contained.